Metronome

ABSTRACT

A metronome for an optical and acoustic display of tempo, phase and the division of the phases of musical pieces or movement rhythms includes a housing with a display for the optical display of a movement which describes a curve similar to a parabola and a device for controlling the display, so that the optical movement oscillates with an adjustable frequency. There is preferably a selective electrical generation of tones for acoustically marking the inflection points of the movement and for the selective further acoustic division of the time intervals between the inflection points of the movement. The display may include a row of discrete light sources arranged along a curve similar to a parabola. The light sources may be controlled to generate a moving light which oscillates back and forth along the row of light sources with adjustable frequency.

The invention relates to a metronome for the optical and/or acousticdisplay of the tempo, the [beat] time and the division of the [beat]times of pieces of music, for musicians, dancers, choreographers,gymnasts and for supporting rhythm or rhythmic movements very generallysuch as for users of speech therapies, for sportspersons of all types,etc.

Conventional metronomes which are most common today display the [beat]time of a piece of music by way of a pendulum rod which is pivotallyarticulated on a horizontal axis of a clockwork mechanism and may swingto and fro about this axis. It is driven by a spring-driven clockworkmechanism capable of being wound up. A mass piece which is displaceableon the pendulum rod with regard to the height position permits thechange in the moment of inertia of the pendulum rod so that the swingingmovement may be adjusted in its frequency. At the turning points of thependulum rod, the clockwork mechanism causes a ticking or clicking soundwhich is similar to the sound of beating wood and thus acousticallydisplays the point in time of turning. Such a metronome mostly furthercomprises a bell which is actuated by a tapping mechanism which islikewise driven by the clockwork mechanism. Depending on the setting,the bell may be struck at each turning point, at each second one, ateach third one, fourth or even at only each fifth turning point of thependulum rod.

Such conventional metronomes optically as well as acoustically show the[beat] time at various settable frequencies, but they introduce the userto the rhythm in a restricted and inadequately natural and close manner.In the time intervals between the two turning points of the pendulumrod, the user is not guided at all or only in an unsatisfactory manner.To a certain extent he may merely estimate the temporal “position” ofthe subsequent turning point or acoustic beat only on account of thepast, but is not guided up to this in a natural manner.

In recording studios, for multi-track dubbing of a piece of music or ofa film one operates with a synchronous track, the so-called mid-code.This synchronous track corresponds to a standard. Via a microphone or asuitable interface, it is possible to carry out follow-ups that is tosay post-dubbing or post-production in a vocal or instrumental manner orby way of a computer, synthesiser, sequencer or a percussion or basemachine. Here one speaks of so-called “overdubs”. Here however it is ofutmost importance that a musician who is to post-dub an instrumentalvoice or a singer who is to post-dub a vocal tone, plays or sings veryexactly in the [beat] time of the already recorded music. The slightestof deviations lead to recognisably poor results which lead to the factoften a dubbing needs to be started again several times until finallythe desired quality is achieved. For this, expensive recording studiotime is consumed. With an improved metronome which may also be activatedby the synchronous track (for example midi), the dubber or post-dubberwould be in the position of playing-in their recordings in a decisivelymore efficient manner and preparing them in a qualitatively perceivablyimproved manner so that many expensive studio hours could be saved. Dueto the increased efficiency less “sound-sessions” or less lengthy“sound-sessions” would be required in order to play into a recording.

Not only this, but every musician whether singer or instrument playermay sharpen and more efficiently practice his feeling for the rhythmwith a metronome which leads him better to the rhythm and accordinglyleads him closely to this. But not only may musicians improve withregard to rhythm, but sportsmen may improve their sequence of movements,and movement and speech therapists may help their patients in a moretargeted and improved manner.

The object of the present invention thus very generally lies inproviding a metronome which to the first extent permits an improvedrhythmic guidance of the user be it optically or acoustically or incombination with an optical and acoustic rhythm setting. Furthermore themetronome should also render various [beat] time subdivisionsacoustically displayable.

Secondarily it is the object of the invention to specify such ametronome which simultaneously to this generally improved rhythmicguidance, also permits a dynamic acoustic guidance in that the useracoustically and in a dynamic manner may be led up to a beat and mayalso be acoustically dissociated from this sound, also in a dynamicmanner.

A third object of the invention its to realise an interactivity with ametronome, which permits the communication with the user in a targetedmanner depending on the rhythmics of his song, play or manner ofmovement, in order to hint at an acceleration or slowing of his rhythm.As a whole, the display of the rhythm in each embodiment is to beeffected in natural manner which is to say closer to the naturalmovement experience of the person, in a more familiar manner and in amore appropriate manner than the swinging to and fro of a pendulum rod.

The first object is achieved by a metronome for displaying the tempo,beat and the subdivision of the beat of pieces of music or movementrhythms with a battery-operated voltage source or with an electricalmains connection, which is characterised in that it includes a displayfor the optical display of a movement which describes atrajectory-parabola-like arc and that means for activating the displayare present so that the optical movement runs to and fro at a settablefrequency.

The second object is achieved by a metronome for displaying the tempo,beat and the subdivision of the beat of pieces of music or movementrhythms with a battery-operated voltage source or with an electricalmains connection, which is characterised in that means are present forselectively producing sounds for the dynamic acoustic marking of theturning points of the movement and for the selective further acousticsubdivision of the time intervals between the turning points of themovement.

A third object is achieved by a metronome for displaying the tempo, beatand the subdivision of the beat of pieces of music or movement rhythmswith a battery-operated voltage source or with an electrical mainsconnection, which is characterised in that it includes a display for theoptical display of a movement which describes a trajectory-parabola-likearc, and that means for activating the display are present so that theoptical movement runs to and fro at a settable frequency and/or thatmeans are present for selective electrical production of sounds for thedynamic acoustic marking of the turning points of a movement and for theselective further acoustic subdivision of the time intervals between theturning points of the movement, as well as that a sensor and anelectronic circuit with a software for detecting acoustic impulses arepresent, by way of which an optical or acoustic display of rhythm may bereproduced in dependence on settable run-ahead tolerances or settablerun-behind tolerances of the rhythms recorded via the sensor.

Further embodiment variants of this metronome are described in detail byway of the drawings and their function is explained hereinafter.

There are shown in:

FIG. 1 a metronome with a series of light sources arranged along an arc,with different distances between the individual light sources;

FIG. 2: a metronome with a series of light sources arranged along anarc, with uniform distances between the individual light sources;

FIG. 1 shows a metronome in a first embodiment variant. It consists of ahousing 1 which selectively comprises a battery as a voltage source oran electrical mains connection. A number of discrete light sources 2 arearranged on the front side, and specifically along a row so that thislight source row 3 forms an arc. This arc 3 here forms the display forthe optical display of a movement which describes atrajectory-parabola-like arc. This arc 3 is parabolic as one may see,wherein the parabola looks similar to or is identical to a trajectoryparabola. The distances between the individual light sources 2 aredifferent. From the lowermost light sources the distances are reduced inan increasing manner until the distances are minimal at the apex of theparabola. The distances are dimensioned in a manner such that with astationary frequency with which, beginning at a lower end of the lightsource row, the discrete light sources successively illuminate, arunning light is produced in an optical manner which firstly runsrapidly and becomes increasingly slower towards the apex of theparabola, in order after passing the apex to become quicker again and toaccelerate until reaching the other end of the parabola. The runninglight thus in principle describes exactly the movement of a trajectorybody in the empty space of a gravitational field. The selection of thedistances between the individual light sources determines theacceleration which acts on the running light, thus the fictivetrajectory body. This trajectory-parabola-like movement of the runninglight corresponds to the natural movement which every person isnaturally acquainted with. Every person experiences it when he moves ina running tempo, when he skips or when he alternately jumps to and frofrom one foot to the other. Trials have shown that a musician is guidedin a very much more precise and dose manner by way of a rhythm displayedin such a manner and perceives it in this way much more spontaneously.Here it is clear that the steepness of the parabola branches may bevaried, just as also the trajectory path of a trajectory body may runsteeper or shallower depending on the angle of elevation at which thetrajectory body is thrown or shot.

In a first embodiment variant shown here, the time intervals withinwhich the light sources 2 of the arc-shaped arranged light sourcesequence successively light up remain constant. For this the distancesbetween the individual light sources are variable as one may clearlyrecognise from the drawing. This are mathematically calculated on thebasis of a trajectory parabola and the light sources are accordinglyarranged at different distances so that the light sources 2 whichilluminate at constant temporal intervals produce a running light whichin the vertical with an upward movement are braked by a constantnegative acceleration and reversely on moving downwards are acceleratedwith a constant positive acceleration. Mechanical, electrical orelectronic activation means which belong to the metronome serve for thesuccessive activation of the light surfaces 2 on the row of thisparabola. With these activation means it may be the case of a mechanicalclock which after every completed, constant but settable time intervaldoses an electrical contact which in each case brings the next lightsource 2 in the sequence to illuminate. The means may however also bedesigned in an electrical manner such as in the form of a Wagner'sinterrupter similar to an old-fashioned house bell. The distance betweenthe hammer and the electromagnet then determines the frequency. Thedesign which is less complicated and probably most economical is basedon an electronic circuit with or without a microprocessor. Such anelectronic circuit, specifically a microprocessor also without furtherado has a data interface for activating other apparatus. Thus then asequencer, a computer or an electrical instrument with the samefrequency or electrical signals generated therefrom may be activated. Orin reverse, the metronome may also be activated by other apparatus viathis interface, or data transmission may be carried out in order forexample to load updates, new sounds, new presets or likewise.

Otherwise it is clear that the same or at least a similar effect of anoptically displayed trajectory-parabola-like path is also achieved ifthe movement of the running light only approximately follows an idealtrajectory parabola. What is important is the natural jumping movementwhich every person is acquainted with and knows from a bouncing balleven though with the running light it is of course the case that anideally bouncing, that is to say, non-damped jumping ball is simulatedand any other influence of damping such as by way of the air resistanceis eliminated.

In a second embodiment variant of the metronome, which is shown in FIG.2, the light sources 2 are separated from one another at constantdistances. In order despite this to simulate a trajectory-parabola-likemovement with the running light, the time intervals between theillumination of the light sources is increased towards the apex of theparabola or arc 3, so that optically a slowing-down of the running lightresults, and after passing the apex, the running light in the samemanner is optically accelerated in that the distances between the lightsources again are increasingly shortened so that finally the same effectis achieved and the running light behaves in an optically equal manneror very similarly to a jumping or elastically bouncing ball. Thisspecial activation of the light sources after different time intervalsis best of all provided by a microprocessor. Then the higher-orderfrequency, that is to say the time interval between the turning pointsof the running light may then be set via this microprocessor. Thusdepending on the case, the running light jumps to and fro to a quickeror slower extent. With low frequencies there is optically very often theimpression of a trajectory of a body which is recorded in slow motion,with rapid frequencies the impression of a trajectory of a body with afast motion tempo. Somewhere between these lies a frequency at which thetrajectory corresponds to a natural trajectory of a body under theinfluence of the earth's gravitation, admittedly whilst neglecting theair resistance. However to a certain extent the optical impression ofthe running light jumping to and fro like a ball acts in a very naturaland familiar manner. Since the observer is optically guided between theturning points, he may very much more accurately estimate the point intime of the next turning point and accommodate this in his sense ofrhythm. This may be selectively further encouraged by the acousticdisplay of the turning points. For this, on achieving the outermostlight sources, an acoustic tone is electronically generated by therunning light which has a great initial tip or rises to such a tip andthen rapidly attenuates, similarly to an impacting and to some extentelastically bouncing-back ball.

If the metronome is equipped with a suitably programmed microprocessor,thus a whole series of natural functions may be set, for which themetronome has input knobs, input keys or program input keys and adisplay for displaying various variables. Some of these functions anddisplays are shown in the following. Thus FIG. 1 for example has athree-digit counter 4 each with a rotary knob 5, 6, 7 for each of thethree digits of the counter 4. Furthermore one may see a separatecounter 8 with an associated rotary knob 9. Five controls 10-14 in theform of slide controls are drawn, which may be displaced from a lowerminimal position upwards to a maximal position there. An on/off switch16 is located at the top on the right. The operation of this metronomeis accomplished as follows. On switching on by way of actuating theon/off switch 16, the running light begins to run along the lightsources 2 arranged in an arc-like manner and then runs to and fro onboth sides between the last light sources. Now by way of the rotaryknobs 5, 6 and 7 the number of beats per minute may be set. The rotaryknob 5 effects a setting of the hundreds, thus one hundred, two hundred,three hundred etc. beats, wherein these hundreds are displayed in thecounter window 4 to the very left. The rotary knob 6 permits the settingof the tens and the rotary knob 7 the setting of the ones. As an examplea beat number of 146 per minute has been set which usually correspondsto 146-quarter note per minute. A certain beat type may be set with therotary knob 9. In FIG. 1 the associated counter 8 displays the value 4which means the 4/4 time. If the counter displays the value 3, then a ¾beat is set, with the value 6 an 6/8 time. With the setting which hasbeen carried out until now the metronome is ready for operation. In theshown setting example it sets a quarter time with 146 beats per minute,and since a quarter beat is set, in each case the first quarter note ofeach beat is displayed in an acoustic manner, thus always the one offour quarter, note, that is to say one two three four one two three fouretc. If the same number of beats per minute is selected with athree-quarter time, thus with a three of the display 8, then in eachcase the first quarter note of a three-quarter time is acousticallydisplayed, thus one two three one two three. The acoustic strength orthe sound volume of this acoustic display may be regulated with theslide control 10. Optionally, further beats may be acousticallydisplayed with a certain set beat by way of producing an acoustic toneat suitable beat locations. The slide control 11 makes the firstsixteenth of each quarter note sound at an high or lower volumedepending on the slide position. The slide control 12 makes the secondsixteenth of each quarter note sound, the slide controller 13 the thirdsixteenth of each quarter note, the slide controller 14 the fourthsixteenth of each quarter note, and the slide control 15 finally thesecond and third triole of each quarter note.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 2 all displays are effected in anelectronic manner, which means by way of a liquid crystal LCF 4;8.Instead of rotary knobs, here setting buttons 5,6,7; 9 and 10-14 arepushed, with in each case one plus button for increasing values and aminus button for reducing values. The setting may however also beeffected via fewer buttons in that a single liquid crystal display isprovided which has a menu guide at its disposal so that one after theother all desired values may be set with a plus/minus button and may bestored via a set function for example a E²-PROM (Electrical ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory). The display for displaying the movementmay also be a liquid crystal LCD on which the movement of a trajectorybody is graphically displayed. In this case the metronome makes dowithout light sources.

Depending on the design of the metronome this may assume a multitude offunctions which may be set on the metronome. Apart from the tempo, thusthe number of beats per minute and the [beat] time type, one may alsoset the number of loops (default=∞), thus how many times the movement orthe running light skips to and fro, and of course the total volume ofthe acoustic displays. Furthermore the starting point may be selected,thus whether the movement or the running light starts at the left orright. The tones which are superimposed on the movement or the runninglight may be set in quality and loudness. Thus the first beats of eachbeat may be acoustically displayed with various timbres and volumes. Onemay select whether the quarter note or eighth note or even a sixteenthnote is to be acoustically displayed. Intermediate beats as areparticularly usual in jazz music may be acoustically displayed, and eacheighth note as an intermediate beat, or each triole individually or eachsixteenth individually, etc. Furthermore various presets may be storedone after the other as one piece.

Particularly helpful functions are the counting modes. The counting modeconsists of a preset with n loops, for example 4 to 8 loops. Themetronome starts, the musician assumes the preset tempo and themetronome then stops itself after a defined number of [beat] times. Thecounting mode on the other hand consists of a preset with ∞ loops. Themetronome runs after switching on until it is stopped by hand. Amodified counting mode consists of presets which are composed into onepiece. The metronome either constantly play the piece, or once or adefined number of runs.

The metronome may also be realised in a purely acoustically operatingversion. In this case means are merely present for the selectiveelectrical production of tones for the dynamic and acoustic marking ofthe turning points of the movement and for the selective furtheracoustic subdivsion of the time intervals between the turning points ofthe movement. Such and acoustic display of the turning points may alsoguide the user in a more natural manner with regard to rhythm. For this,a tone is synthetically produced which for example acousticallysimulates the approach of a jumping or bouncing ball or whichaccompanies this. Typically a sound after the impact of a balls lasts.With a synthetically produced tone, on the forefront of the impact atone may be displayed and with regard to its sounding or with regard tothe frequency or volume may be changed so that acoustically one is ledup to the point in time of the beat. Such a metronome which in a purelyacoustic and natural, and quasi-smooth manner guides the user, is aboveall advantageous when one must look at the notes and may not look at anoptical display.

Interactive functions may be realised with a data interface either witha purely optically acting metronome or with a purely acoustically actingmetronome of the presented type. Thus the metronome may be provided witha microphone or a sensor in the form of a sensitive surface whichcooperates with a pad or piezocrystal and an electronic pulse generator,with which as a one-off or in a permanent manner a tempo may be set byway of rhythmically pushing the buttons. The intervals between thecontinuously set base beats are measured and the tempo is determined,wherein the tolerance of the deviation of the set frequency may be set.If beats lie outside a set tolerance or if no setting is effected, thenthe metronome runs further with a constant tempo on account of the lastvalid tempo setting.

The interactivity may also permit errors to be recognised via anexternal or internal microphone. For example a tolerance may be inputtedas a plus and/or minus value, and the metronome then by way of acomparison of the signal proceeding from the microphone or sensor teststhe agreement with its preset base beats. The error may be displayed inan optical or acoustic manner. The musician may even be activelyencouraged by the metronome to play slower or quicker until he againplay synchronously with the metronome. Inputs from the microphone whichlie after the first beat and before the second beat are acknowledgedwith “slower”. Inputs after the first beat which enter after the secondbeat are accordingly acknowledged with “faster”. In a particular modethe readings may also be cumulated and only displayed at the end. Themetronome then continuously detects the deviation of the user from thepreset rhythm in that it detects the acoustic or mechanical signalsproduced by the user via the microphone or the sensor and constantlydisplays the deviations. At the dose the metronome may then for exampledisplay the cumulated reading in an optical or acoustic form,specifically how much percent the musician played too quickly or tooslowly in comparison to the set tempo, or how many beats a user carriedout in comparison to a predefined beat number. In total this metronomepermits unforeseen operating variants. Its most important advantagehowever is to be seen in the fact that the user is guided to a rhythm ina much more natural, acquainted and close manner and thus is “guidedalong this” thanks to the display of the beat by way of a trajectoryparabola-like to and fro movement.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A metronome for displaying tempo, time and thesubdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms, comprising:a display for optically displaying movement depicting an arc having ahorizontal, uniform movement component and a vertical, acceleratedmovement component depicting a trajectory-parabola arc; and, means foractivating said display for providing optical movement to and fro at asettable frequency.
 14. The metronome for displaying tempo, time and thesubdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according toclaim 13, further comprising: means for selective electrical productionof sounds for a dynamic acoustic marking of turning points of saidoptical movement; means for selective acoustic subdivision of timeintervals between said turning points of said optical movement; asensor; and, an electronic circuit having software for detectingacoustic impulses for an optical or acoustic display of rhythmreproduced and dependent on settable run-ahead tolerances or settablerun-behind tolerances of rhythms recorded via said sensor.
 15. Themetronome for displaying tempo, time and the subdivision of time, ofpieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 13, wherein saiddisplay includes a row of discrete light sources arranged along atrajectory-parabola arc, and means for activating said row of discretelight sources for producing a running light running to and fro alongsaid row of discrete light sources at a settable frequency, means forselective electrical production of sounds for an acoustic marking ofturning points of the running light and means for selective acousticsubdivision of time intervals between the turning points of the runninglight.
 16. The metronome for displaying tempo, time and the subdivisionof time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 15,wherein said row of discrete light sources have individual light sourcessuccessively positioned at differing distances between successive saidindividual light sources, so that with time intervals between anillumination of individual light sources remaining the same, atrajectory of a body is capable of being optically simulated withrespect to said vertical, accelerated movement component of said opticalmovement, said trajectory undergoing a negative acceleration in anupwards movement and a positive acceleration in a downwards movement,while said horizontal, uniform movement component of said opticalmovement remains uniform.
 17. The metronome for displaying tempo, timeand the subdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythmsaccording to claim 15, wherein said row of discrete light sources haveindividual light sources successively positioned at constant distancesbetween successive said individual light sources, so that successiveactivation at differing time intervals of said individual light sources,a running light is produced for optically simulating a trajectory of abody with respect to said vertical, accelerated movement component ofsaid optical movement, said trajectory undergoing a negativeacceleration in an upwards movement and a positive acceleration in adownwards movement.
 18. The metronome for displaying tempo, time and thesubdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according toclaim 17, further comprising: means for setting a symmetrical orasymmetrical tolerances to predefined metronome beats for detectingrhythms produced by a user, so that when said symmetrical orasymmetrical tolerances are exceeded by the user, cumulated measurementresults and instructions for accelerating or decelerating user-rhythmare optically produced via a display or acoustically produced via aloudspeaker.
 19. The metronome for displaying tempo, time and thesubdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according toclaim 18, wherein said means for setting a symmetrical or asymmetricaltolerances to predefined metronome beats for detecting rhythms producedby a user include a microprocessor with software.
 20. The metronome fordisplaying tempo, time and the subdivision of time, of pieces of musicor movement rhythms according to claim 15, wherein said means foractivating said row of discrete light sources includes a micro-processorfor successively activating said individual light sources with a timeinterval for producing a running light for optically simulating atrajectory of a body with respect to said vertical, accelerated movementcomponent of said optical movement, said trajectory undergoing anegative acceleration in an upwards movement and a positive accelerationin a downwards movement.
 21. The metronome for displaying tempo, timeand the subdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythmsaccording to claim 20, further comprising: means for setting asymmetrical or asymmetrical tolerances to predefined metronome beats fordetecting rhythms produced by a user, so that when said symmetrical orasymmetrical tolerances are exceeded by the user, cumulated measurementresults and instructions for accelerating or decelerating user-rhythmare optically produced via a display or acoustically produced via aloudspeaker.
 22. The metronome for displaying tempo, time and thesubdivision of time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according toclaim 20, wherein said means for setting a symmetrical or asymmetricaltolerances to predefined metronome beats for detecting rhythms producedby a user include a microprocessor with software.
 23. The metronome fordisplaying tempo, time and the subdivision of time, of pieces of musicor movement rhythms according to claim 20, further comprising means forselecting acoustic tones of different frequencies, timbres and volumesand means for superimposing said acoustic tones of differentfrequencies, timbres and volumes on said optical movement so simulated,said means for selecting and said means for superimposing beingcontrolled by said microprocessor, so that volume and intensity of anacoustic tone increases over movement of said running lights over saidindividual light sources of said arc, or over a portion thereof, andupon reaching outermost light sources of said arc, achieves a maximum orintensity center and thereafter fades.
 24. The metronome for displayingtempo, time and the subdivision of time, of pieces of music or movementrhythms according to claim 15, further comprising a setting display forsetting and displaying a numerical count of said turning points ofoptical movement within a given time period and beat type and type ofacoustic subdivision of each beat.
 25. The metronome for displayingtempo, time and the subdivision of time, of pieces of music or movementrhythms according to claim 15, further comprising a setting display forsetting and displaying a numerical count of said running light within agiven time period and beat type and type of acoustic subdivision of eachbeat.
 26. The metronome for displaying tempo, time and the subdivisionof time, of pieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 15,further comprising a digital counter for setting and displaying a numberof turning points of said running light within a given time period. 27.The metronome for displaying tempo, time and the subdivision of time, ofpieces of music or movement rhythms according to claim 26, furthercomprising: means for selectively setting beat type; and, a display fordisplaying said beat type selectively set.